The US Senate Committee on Appropriations reports…

The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, to invest in America’s rural communities, support our nation’s farmers and ranchers, keep our food supply secure, and maintain nutritional support for low-income American families.

The measure, which was advanced by a unanimous vote of 27-0, provides $27.1 billion in discretionary funding.

Including funding for broadband…

Rural Development: $3.7 billion to support rural development programs across the U.S., including $1.7 billion for affordable housing rental assistance for low-income families and seniors in rural communities as requested by the Administration; $1 billion in lending authority for Single-Family Housing direct loans and $25 billion in lending authority for the guaranteed Single-Family Housing loans; $1.3 billion for rural water and waste grants and loans; $1.8 billion in grants and loans for rural business and industry programs that promote small business growth in rural areas; $8 billion in lending authority for rural electric loans; and $96 million for rural broadband grants and loans.  The bill also eliminates funding for the Biden-era Rural Partners Network initiative and maintains “Buy American” provisions that maximize the federal governments use domestic products.